Find...

River Feale

Salmon season March 1 - September 30

Brown tag required

FISHERY DESCRIPTION

The River Feale is among the outstanding salmon and sea trout rivers of Ireland. The River rises in the mountain district of North Co Cork and flows westerly for 75 km (46 miles) through the county towns of Abbeyfeale and Listowel and enters the sea south of Ballybunion. For the final 10 kms (6 miles) of its course, it is known as the Cashen River. Throughout its meandering journey to the sea it flows through a picturesque landscape of heather bog land, fertile valleys and rolling hills. Its main tributaries, flowing from both North and South, combine to add in excess of 160 kms (100 miles) of fishable waters.

Additional Angling Information on the River Feale for the 2016 season

The River Feale (including Rivers Galey and Brick) will be open for salmon fishing on the 1st March and close on midnight of the 30th September 2017.
Under the salmon tagging regulations, this year the River Feale is designated as a brown tag fishery.The brown tags for the River Feale bear the code F3.
Anglers must affix a brown tag along with a blue tag to any salmon which is retained. This means that salmon retained on the River Feale will have two tags attached.

Brown tags will issue from IFI officers ONLY for the 2017 season. Please ring 087-7639236 to arrange to receive your first brown tag.

Additional brown tags will only be issued by IFI staff, they may be contacted at 087-7639236 and they will arrange to meet and issue an additional tag upon verification that the previous brown tag has been used, i.e. a fish has been caught and recorded in the logbook.

1 brown tag will be issued at a time to each angler.

If an angler has used his brown tag or doesn’t have a brown tag in his possession to use then he must fish catch and release methods, i.e. single barbless hook and no worms.

Brown tags will continue to be issued until the angling quota is reached.
National Regulations apply and are available in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout leaflet.

SALMON FISHING

The Feale is a fast flowing spate river subject to flooding during periods of persistent rainfall. The lower section is dominated by large deep fish-holding pools and an important feature of the upper river and its tributaries is the frequency with which deep holding pools occur. It is presumably this latter feature that makes it such a good fishery so far upstream. At the bottom, it is tidal almost to Finuge Bridge and rod and line fishing ends about 3 kms (2 miles) below the bridge. In times of low flow the water runs clear but takes on a dark peat stained appearance in a spate.

This is a large river, with a gravel bed and overgrown, steep banks on many stretches. Wading is necessary in places, especially for fly fishing. Body waders be of great help and a wading staff essential.

The River Feale gets equally good runs of salmon and sea trout. In a good season it is estimated that the river produces at least 1500 salmon and grilse and well over 2,000 sea trout to rod and line. There are fish in the river from opening day on March 1st and the best of the spring fishing is up to mid April depending on water levels.

Grilse begin showing about mid June and there is always a dramatic improvement in mid July, with very good fishing for larger fish from mid August to the end of the season in September, in suitable weather conditions. The spring salmon average about 9lbs and the grilse about 5lbs. The best of the salmon fishing is from the tide up to Abbeyfeale. The sea trout tend to run quickly quickly through the middle stretches and the best fishing is considered to be either below Listowel or above Abbeyfeale in the Brosna/Mountcollins Club water. All legitimate angling methods are allowed, with spinning, worm and fly being most popular for salmon. The Feale is the home of the 'Lane Minnow' which is made locally, and is a highly successful bait, although traditional Devon minnows and spoons are also popular. In recent times the Flying 'C' in various colours has proved a remarkably effective bait in all conditions. The popular salmon flies are Garry Dog, Blue Charm, Lemon & Grey, Thunder & Lightning, Hairy Mary, Ally Shrimp, Wilkinson ( for a bright day) and of course a local dressing widely known in the locality as the 'Halpin' which is said to be an excellent fly on the river late in the season. It is available in all the local tackle shops.

SEA TROUT FISHING

Sea trout enter the system from early May and provide sport right through to September. The bigger fish arrive early and the peak of the season is from mid June into August. They range in size from 0.5lb to 6lbs, averaging 1-1.5lbs. Many seatrout are taken downstream of Listowel spinning. The best fly fishing is had above Abbeyfeale. Night-time fly fishing can be very effective. Flies fished are Silver Doctor, Butchers, Black Pennell, Peter Ross, Teal and Silver, Thunder & Lightning just to mention a few. Medium sink fly lines are generally used.

CLUB WATERS: About 50% of the main River Feale and the Smearlagh River is controlled by 5 angling clubs. These clubs are some of the best angling waters and each club offers day tickets for visiting anglers. The rest of the Feale and its tributaries are effectively open waters, but it is recommended that local advise and direction be sought before accessing any stretches of the system. All club waters are signposted and some club stretches may vary annually.

Killocrim/Finuge Angling Club control approximately 6.5 kms (4 miles) of water downstream of Listowel. Good salmon and grilse angling and fair sea trout angling as the fish run through. 'Fly only' is the rule on a stretch of water at Finuge Bridge. Day and evening permits are available from Dan Joy Tel: International +353 68 40310 Tel Ireland 068 40310.

The North Kerry Anglers Association has access to about 15 kms (9 miles) of fishing in the vicinity of Listowel on both the main river and its tributary, the Smearlagh River. Salmon and grilse fishing with good sea trout. The town stretch has some beautiful salmon pools which have been recently developed, and this stretch also provides some very good sea trout fishing. contact North Kerry Anglers Association PRO Mr Jim Horgan Tel: Outside Ireland +353 68 23848. Inside Ireland 068 23848 Fax International: +353 68 21504 Fax in Ireland 068 21504

Brosna / Mountcollins Angling Club' control about 13 kms (8 miles) of double bank fishing from below the Owveg River confluence, up past Mountcollins, to within a short distance of Ahuan Bridge. This stretch produces a small catch of grilse but excels as a seatrout fishery. The seatrout fishing here is best from mid May to September. Permits are available from Brendan Danagher on +353 (0)64 663 6267

Weather conditions prevailing on any given day(s) can dramatically affect water levels on the Feale. Visiting anglers are advised to have contacts to let them know the condition of the river as water levels can adversely effect angling prospects.